it helps us reach that 4 trillion-dollar goal. he we will be hoping that republicans, whether short-term or long-term are ready to talk seriously about compromise and making sure that washington is not inflicting things on the economy when the economy should be growing and creating jobs. >> are there any preconditions, taxes of things that are not to be part of what it is for? >> there are no preconditions to a meeting like this. this is a meeting with the president and leaders of congress. any topic is up for discussion if one member of the group decides that the issue is to be broached. but the purpose is to talk about the eminent sequester deadline and the need to avert it. it is implemented to take action in a balanced way to deal with our deficit reduction in a way that does not unduly burden seniors and middle-class families. but by doing that, it allows our economy to continue to grow and continue the recovery that we have seen on the way now. but we still have a long way to go. the president is firm in his conviction it is